Harrison family still suffering rat infestation two months after reporting it

A rat found at the Harrisons' home

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Kev and Kaz Harrison have been suffering from a rat infestation at their home on Lynton Avenue since May, and despite contacting Rochdale Borough Council, they say they are still fighting off the vermin on a daily basis.

Kaz said: “We’re being plagued by rats and mice. We’ve contacted the Council and they are dragging their feet.

"The kids aren’t sleeping well and we’re at our wits’ end. We’ve been patching holes on a daily basis and the neighbours at the back on Abbott Street have also been affected by the rats.

“We’ve been fighting the Council for a long time over the derelict property next door. They’re supposed to be imposing a Compulsory Purchase Order but this hasn’t happened yet. They served a Prohibition Order on the owner earlier this year and rehoused him.”

The Harrisons believe the rats entered the derelict neighbouring property following a break in earlier this year, and due to sharing a crawlspace with the adjoining house, the rodents inevitably moved in, chewing through the floors and carpets.

Kaz continued: “It took two weeks for someone to come out and board that house up. Outside was a mess too with it being overgrown.”

She added: “We’ve submitted a formal complaint against the Council as we feel we have been failed.”

Andrea Fallon, Rochdale Borough Council’s director of public health and wellbeing, said: “Our public protection service is aware of complaints regarding rat activity at Lynton Avenue. Upon inspection, the property on Lynton Avenue was deemed unsafe for entry due to its condition and officers have been unable to undertake rat treatments inside the building.

“However, the council has cleaned up the outside of property to make the area less attractive to rats. We are also providing regular treatments at the neighbouring house to get the infestation under control and prevent the rats entering their property.”